BIG SPONSORED SILENCE FOR SCHOOLS TO MARK MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE DAY

CHALLENGING MND ANNOUNCES ‘THE BIG SPONSORED SILENCE’ FOR SCHOOLS TO MARK GLOBAL MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE DAY ON 21 JUNE

– Highlights that 80% of people living with MND lose their ability to speak

– Schools around the UK can sign up to ‘The Big Sponsored Silence’

Challenging MND has unveiled its latest initiative to raise money for people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  Monday 21 June is Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day, and to mark the day and highlight that 80% of people living with MND lose the ability to speak, Challenging MND is putting out a call to action to UK schools to sign up for ‘The Big Sponsored Silence.’

Challenging MND is hoping that schools – primary and secondary – across the nation will take up the opportunity to support Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day and take part. The silence will last for the duration of the morning break time. All money raised will go towards helping people living with MND fulfil dreams and create lasting memories with loved ones, organised through the charity – Challenging MND.

Alex Gibson, Founder of Challenging MND said: “This is a call to action to Head Teachers and schools across the country. Monday 21 June is Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day, sign up to Challenging MND’s ‘Big Sponsored Silence’ to help us raise awareness and money for people living with MND.

“Motor Neurone Disease is a cruel condition that robs around 4 out of 5 people of the ability to speak. The Big Sponsored Silence highlights this and we hope helps a whole new generation of young people better understand and further the cause to find a cure. For the here and now, the money raised will help people living with MND create memories and achieve their dreams. We want to make sure our deafening silence is heard loud and clear across the country!”

Interested schools should visit www.challengingmnd.org/events to sign up.  The deadline for signing up is Friday, 18^th June.

Alex aged 43, founded Challenging MND following his own diagnosis. Throughout his life Alex has had a huge interest in sport and fitness, representing Great Britain in the decathlon and playing rugby for Barking; Brentwood; and Loughborough University.  So far Alex has raised over £220,000 for charity.  If you would like to find out more about getting involved with Challenging MND, please call Andrew Cappaert, Chief Executive, Challenging MND on 01268 813950, email: Andrew.cappaert@challengingmnd.org; visit: www.challengingmnd.org or join the CMND community on social media (Facebook; Instagram; and Twitter).

If you would like to donate to Challenging MND, please go to https://www.challengingmnd.org/make-a-donation .  Any money raised will be for Challenging MND, a charity which aims to help those living with MND complete challenges and fulfil dreams to create lasting memories.